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NEPPC CR No. 06-1
Covering the Uninsured:
Costs, Benefits, and Policy Alternatives for New England
(February 2007)
by Matthew Nagowski
On December 5, 2006, the New England Public Policy Center
at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston convened a policy symposium,
“Covering
the Uninsured: Costs, Benefits, and Policy Alternatives for
New England.” As a growing number of Americans find
themselves without health insurance, New England states are
exploring innovative policies aimed at extending coverage.
But the high cost of expanding coverage raises difficult questions
about how best to improve access while preserving individual
choice and maintaining quality of care.
The conference, which brought together a select group of
stakeholders from all six New England states as well as representatives
from national organizations, featured lively discussion and
debate about the merits of various policy alternatives and
funding mechanisms. Differing viewpoints among policymakers,
insurers, doctors, hospital administrators, employers, public
health advocates, and health policy researchers provided a
frank and productive dialogue throughout the day. This report
is a synthesis of the conference’s major themes.
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